The type of study materials that will best help you pass the cognitive National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam can vary depending on your learning style and work-life demands. Popular Colorado EMT exam preparation study materials include textbooks, online resources, study guides, study groups with other EMT candidates, and practice tests that include detailed explanations.
How Do You Learn?
Everyone absorbs information differently. There are three distinct ways of learning:
- Reading or watching
- Listening
- Doing or practicing
Most people benefit from a combination of methods, but for many learners, there’s one approach that works better than the others. Knowing how you learn will help you narrow down the types of materials to use.
Where Do You Find Study Materials?
EMT courses approved by the State of Colorado will provide students with access to a range of resources, including textbooks, e-books, audiobooks, interactive videos, practice tests, flashcards, and other learning materials. You can also take advantage of resources from other reputable sources.
Learning by Reading or Watching
There will always be reading involved in an EMT course in the form of physical books and/or online content, so practice reading for comprehension. It’s also important to review the American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
Those who have grown up with smartphones and social media may prefer watching videos. Your course may include videos as part of the curriculum, but you can also turn to an expert like The Paramedic Coach for additional support.
Our Video Vault contains nearly 500 videos that have helped tens of thousands of emergency services professionals prepare and pass NREMT exams. Subscribers have lifetime access to the videos as well as 2,000 NREMT practice questions, knowledge check quizzes, worksheets, drug cards, audio files, and student groups.
Learning by Listening
Try working with a study group. Discuss the topics together and ask questions. Listening to different perspectives and how others interpret the material can help reinforce your understanding. Other students may also have some tips for passing the Colorado EMT certification test that you haven’t thought of.
Learning by Doing
Take online practice tests that simulate the NREMT exam format and style to become more familiar with the test. Find question banks with questions covering all of the EMT exam categories, ideally ones that provide detailed explanations about why each answer is correct or wrong. This way, you can learn from your mistakes and understand the logic behind each response.
The EMT exam is a computer-adaptive test. This means that the number of questions on the Colorado EMT test will vary between seventy and 120, depending on how well you perform during the exam. As each question is answered correctly, the following questions become more difficult until NREMT is satisfied that you are competent enough to become an EMT.
Flashcards are also a good way to review medical terminology, protocols, and key terms.
Set Yourself Up to Ace the NREMT Test
Use study materials that fit your learning style, and ensure that you understand the content and aren’t just memorizing facts and figures. Test yourself by explaining concepts to another person and asking for their feedback.
Don’t overdo it. There’s a lot of material to absorb, but it’s essential to give yourself breaks so you don’t burn out or become overtired. Don’t be discouraged–lean on The Paramedic Coach to boost your understanding!
